Category Archives: Australia/New Zealand

Bottles from NZ, Spain Quite Tasty

25 Sunday Jan 2015

Posted by in Australia/New Zealand, Spain

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Catch up time again on reviews and I’ve got several bottles I’ve really enjoyed, all at reasonable price points too.

Anyone entering the kitchen must think ‘what a wino’ but if they notice the bottles are empty. I keep the empties of those wines I haven’t yet reviewed – deemed worthy. These two, and several more to come, are quite worthy!

stoneleigh-latitude-chardonnay-marlborough-new-zealand-10625105Stoneleigh Latitude 2013 Chardonnay – Let’s face it when you think New Zealand most people don’t think Chardonnay – sauvignon blanc or pinot noir sure, Chard – not so much.

This wine comes from New Zealand’s “Golden Mile” in Marlborough – the premier region for wine grapes. I looked at this sample a couple of times when the box arrived certain I had never had a New Zealand Chard. I still don’t remember one but the Stoneleigh could change that.

Since I’ve written over the past several years I’m not a big Chard fan, I just may have to go back and find my digital eraser. I’m discovering more Chardonnay I really enjoy and this was one joins that group.

The wine has nice soft fruit – peach perhaps – on the palate with a hint of the wood but most importantly to me was the wonderful balance. I wasn’t clobbered by the fruit or the wood and it was still a rich mouthful of wine. I’d drink this wine with chicken or pork dishes. The alcohol was a bit of a surprise at 14 percent, but I wouldn’t have guessed that without looking.

Stoneleigh Latitude 2013 Chardonnay, avg. $17 retail, Trade Sample, Highly Recommended.

Altos de Tamaron 2013 – If any country in the world makes wine as consistently good for $11 as Spain, I’m still searching.

tamaronSince much of my focus, at least in the newspaper column, is on value wine and getting folks out of the supermarket wine aisle this is a huge winner. For years I’ve recommended Malbec and Tempranillo wines. Nowadays I seem to find more consistency from Spain at the bottom of the price chart than Argentina.

I thought this wine was simply darn tasty for the $11. We can go on with the dark rich flavor and deep purple color all you want but its pleasing and smooth red wine. The finish was longer than expected and I’d drink it – and buy it – in a minute.

The wine has been a pretty consistent medal winner in previous vintages. It never seems to win the gold but consistently takes silver or bronze. In the big international tests, that’s pretty consistent.

I’d drink this wine with grilled chicken, pork, lamb, and I actually had it with a bit of a quick meatloaf. This wine is rewarding enough to even put on your evening sipper list for a weeknight.

I’d highly recommend the wine for beginners or regular wine drinkers.

Altos de Tamaron 2012, SRP $11, Trade Sample, Highly Recommended.

Three Bold Reds for Summer Grilling

17 Wednesday Jul 2013

Posted by in Australia/New Zealand, Organic, South America, Washington State

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steakThere is nothing like a grilled steak or other beast off the charcoal during these hot summer days. After lots of Rose’ and white wine, it’s time for a taste of red.

Fire up the grill, add a little BBQ rub to those thick ribeyes and enjoy any of these three wines. Here are three diverse choices with Argentinian Malbec, Australian Cabernet, and a wonderful red blend from Washington state all making the grade.

zuccardi_serie_a_malbec11Zuccardi Serie A 2011 Malbec – There are a lot of so-so and uninteresting Malbecs on the market – but even those are good QPR (quality to price ratio) wines.

The Zuccardi really delivers big dark fruit, some will argue a little over-ripe or jammy, but the finish had enough tannin to cut through the fat of the ribeye.

The silky mouth feel and lighter tannins make a great steak pairing. The winemaker ages 70 percent of the juice in oak. It comes in at 14 percent alcohol.

This wine earned 90 points from Robert Parker.

Zuccardi Serie A 2011 Malbec, online at $12-$20, widely available, Highly Recommended.

GBCabSavChateau Tanunda Grand Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon – Like many Americans I haven’t been drinking much Australian wine in recent years. Much has been written about the decline of Australian imports. Fingers are often pointed at the critter wines which brought Australian wine to prominence but were of lesser quality.

So I was prepared for a so-so Cabernet and found myself pleasantly surprised and pleased with the Tanunda Cab. The winery dates back into the late 1800s and the nice balance of this wine suggests a long tradition of winemaking.

The grapes are a blend from several vineyards in the Barossa region. Once into the winery the wine is aged 16 month in oak for a big structure and body that holds up great for any grilled beast.

Ratings from Australian reviews put the wine at 89 points, and I’d say that’s about right.

Chateau Tanunda Grand Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon, $17 average online price, Trade Sample, Recommended for the price point.

09_PW_SPECTRUMPowers 2010 Spectrum – I liked all three of these reds alot. The Spectrum was my choice of the three though. It’s big enough to please regular wine drinkers, rounded enough for wine novices, and pairs great with about any dish.

The blend is 39 percent Merlot, 33 percent Syrah, 22 percent Malbec, 6 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. Rich red fruit and a hint of herbs makes this a great drinking wine. It’s oaked in a combination of new and neutral wooden barrels.

It registers in with 14.5 percent alcohol but didn’t taste hot on the palate at all.

Powers has a very nice line of wines. They have been a leader in organic and low-impact farming.

Powers 2010 Spectrum, $10-$13 online, Highly Recommended.

Some Great Memorial Day Choices

27 Monday May 2013

Posted by in Australia/New Zealand, France, Paso Robles & Mendocino

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memorialday3Memorial Day just might be the official/unofficial kickoff to the outdoor grilling season. So let’s stick to that theme for three wine reviews.

Today is a day to pause in appreciation, before we get to the wine nonsense. Many of us have known soldiers who have gone and served in different military conflicts. It’s probably more fair to say all of us have known someone who gave up 2-3-4 years of their lives to assure our freedom. Fortunately, a smaller number know soldiers who never returned.

We should never lose site of the sacrifice so few have made for so many!

That message sometimes get lost in all the outdoor grilling and pool openings. But it’s always important to make note.

Now, on to the wines for any good summer day of grilling.

Ott2011 Les Domaniers Selection Ott – This Cotes de Provence Rose’ is a nice one that isn’t hard to find. It has a light floral nose and a light and well-rounded mouth feel that will delight as you plan the BBQ.

The wine is a blend of 70 percent Grenache, 25 percent Cinsault, and 5 percent Syrah. It checks in at 13.5 percent on the alcohol.

This is a sipper you can pound with joy once chilled. It has good mineral and acidity though some folks will like a bit more. This is a great introduction to good Provence pink wine.

Simply put, it’s a wine you want to drink when the sun is shining!

2011 Les Domaniers Selection Ott, $19-mid $20, Vine & Table, Indy,  Highly Recommended.

120633lChateau Tanunda Grand Barossa 2010 Shiraz – This Australian Shiraz doesn’t clobber the palate like a jar of jam.

The wine had chocolate, smoke and much better balance than many Shiraz wines I’ve tasted. You can taste the complement of nice blackberry to go with the chocolate and dry mouth feel.

It’s not hard to imagine this wine with any beef or even pork you pull off the grill. Any BBQ treatment of beast would go quite nicely with this somewhat understated Aussie wine!

Chateau Tanunda Grand Barossa 2010 Shiraz, $16, Trade Sample, Recommended.

creekJack Creek Cellars 2008 Syrah – Paso Robles comes through with consistently great Syrah as well or better than anyone in the U.S. The wine screams steak, BBQ or even a pork chop with some seasoning.

This is rich and somewhat tannic red wine for the serious wine drinker. I loved the elegance of the ripe fruit. The tannins were balanced nicely against the front of the palate but definitely there to work with a serious steak.

It’s great red wine for those who like big California flavors.

Jack Creek Ceallars 2008 Syrah, current 2010 vintage SRP $46, Highly Recommended.

Smooth Australian Semillon Surprises

20 Friday Jan 2012

Posted by in Australia/New Zealand

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Semillon is a grape many novices have never tried and probably not even heard about. The grape is grown widely in Australia, France, Chile, and South Africa. I tasted some California grown Semillon in Mendocino County, CA., last January.

I think it’s a wine many wine drinkers would really like if they give it a try.

I recently opened a 2008 Australian Jenke Vineyards Barossa Semillon. The family moved from Germany to Australia in the 1800s.

The wine is crisp and grassy like a Sauvignon Blanc with hints of lime and lemon.

Many white wines are just a one hit wonder, but the Jenke Semillon had balance, some action on the mid palate and a wonderful lingering finish.

You could have this wine alone any night or serve it with vegetarian dishes. I would be a marvelous pairing with roasted chicken.

I found prices all over the place on the internet ranging from $15-$23. I paid $19.99 at Cork and Cracker in Indy.

Send comment or questions to: hewitthoward@gmail.com